How Nature Can Help Veterans Looking for Peace in Uncertain Times
Everyone has days where they feel unmotivated. Stress, anxiety and depression can often lead to isolation. While curling up in bed or on the couch,
According to the most recent Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) survey,* almost 80% of warriors are living with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When trying to manage the symptoms of mental health challenges with daily stress - whether from work, family obligations or current events - there are times when isolating feels like the best option. And certainly, there are times, when curling up in bed or on the couch, scrolling social media, or binge-watching a new TV show, can bring a sense of peace. But it's important not to let it to become the norm.
Head Outside for Your Health
Getting out of the house and into the sunlight and fresh air can rejuvenate the body and mind, said Ali Heck, a WWP Physical Health and Wellness coach.
"Getting outdoors gives you exposure to Vitamin D, which comes from natural sunlight. It helps regulate the production of stress-related hormones," said Heck. So, regardless of the season, spending time outside will help reduce stress and can improve mood.
According to a study in the Netherlands, just looking at pictures of nature can reduce stress.
Add Activity for More Benefits
Depending upon a person's physical ability, a short walk or run in nature has added health benefits.
Here are three reasons walking - or running - is good for you:
- Reduce chronic pain levels. Walking is low-impact enough to be gentle on joints, and it has some strengthening benefits. It lubricates hips and knees and strengthens the muscles that support the joints. The dynamic motion of walking also provides nutrients to the cartilage inside your joints. Walking also tells your brain to release natural painkillers that help decrease pain.
- Lose weight. In addition to well-known benefits to your heart, walking can help you shed pounds. Start slow – five minutes of walking per day – and work your way up to 30 minutes daily. To make it easier and still burn calories, break up the time into smaller bouts throughout your day. Looking to maximize health benefits? A study of obesity-promoting genes found that walking briskly for an hour daily can cut the effect of those genes in half.
- Clear your head and improve your mental well-being. Walking outside can foster positive thoughts as you take in the scenery. A Harvard study compared the brain activity of people walking for 90 minutes in nature versus an urban setting, and they found people focus less on repetitive negative thoughts in nature. Calming nature sounds also lower blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Connecting with Nature and Other Veterans
Army veteran Patrick Spiro says being outdoors helps him relax. Patrick recently joined other veterans for a walk at a Florida nature preserve. WWP incorporates walking and hiking in nature into many of its veteran group events, so warriors and family members can connect with one another on their journeys to recovery and gain the extra benefits.
"When I am outside, my mind is busy focusing on the sights and sounds of the outdoors," he said. "Walking outside is not the same as walking in place for a limited time like at the gym. Walking in nature opens your mind, and you don’t feel closed in with your problems. It helps me stay positive."
Roberto Montalvo, another Army veteran, agrees. “I get a calm vibe and really enjoy the quiet sounds of nature."
He also noted the opportunity to connect with others, citing a recent WWP warriors’ camping trip in Georgia, which gave him the chance to bond with other veterans and build a support network.
When asked in the recent WWP survey how they coped with feelings of stress or emotional or mental health concerns, the majority of warriors (67.3%) responded, "Talking with another veteran."
Roberto was thankful to spend time in nature with fellow warriors: “We have similar stories. They know where I’ve been, I know where they’ve been, and that makes it easier to understand each other’s concerns.”
Learn about WWP's Physical Health and Wellness programs, which offer support for veterans, as well as the Mental Wellness resources and other services that help warriors thrive.
Warrior Survey, Wave 3 (conducted June 15-Aug. 14, 2023)
Contact: Cynthia Weiss – Public Relations, cweiss@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.738.2589
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.
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